Chew Valley School News
Remembering Serhat Gönen
In February the school was shocked and saddened by the terrible news that one of our students had died in a road accident.
Lucy Hacker from Year 12 writes:
On Friday 5th March, the Sixth Form dedicated last period of the afternoon to commemorate the life of Serhat Gönen. Serhat was a student from Germany, who joined Chew Valley in September to do his A Levels, and since, had become an incredible friend, and a valued member of our Sixth Form, who everybody will really miss. He made such an impact on everyone that we felt it only necessary that we remembered him in our own way.
It started with moving words from our head of Sixth Form, Mr. Arbuckle, in which he listed just a few fantastic aspects of the seventeen year old that we had all grown to love. This was followed by a poem written by a student, and two songs played by Max Oakley and Sam Turner on acoustic guitars, Megan Davis and Jess Reed on flutes and Rosanna Davies on clarinet. Mr. Mallet, along with a couple of Serhat’s friends in his form, said a few words, and played his favourite song, which made us all laugh.
Serhat captivated everybody with his spirit and colourful nature, and the cherry blossom tree that has been planted in his honour, represents this. The memorial was the first proper chance that the Sixth Form had to all come together to support each other, and the host family. It was difficult, but also, incredibly beautiful to see everyone together to remember a brother, son and friend.
